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Two doctoral students from the University of South Florida have been missing for almost a week, leading local authorities to seek assistance from the public in their search efforts.
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both aged 27, were last seen separately on April 16 in Tampa, Florida, as reported by the University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD).
Limon, who is working towards a doctorate in geography and environmental science and policy at USF, was last observed at his residence around 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, Bristy, also a doctoral student at USF, is studying chemical engineering. She was last spotted approximately an hour later, around 10 a.m., on the USF Tampa campus, specifically at the NES Building.
The University of South Florida Police Department is spearheading the investigation, and they are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of Limon and Bristy to come forward.
A family friend notified police April 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m. after concern grew over being unable to contact Limon and Bristy.
Both have since been added to the state and national missing persons databases, police said.
Zamil Limon, a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography and environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. on April 16. (University of South Florida Police Department)
Limon’s brother told FOX 13 the situation is highly unusual, calling the doctoral students “responsible and punctual.”
“He is a very responsible and punctual person, and that’s why the situation is so unpredictable and unusual to us … like, and very suspicious,” Zubaer Ahmed, Limon’s younger brother in Bangladesh, told the outlet.
“We’re in deep pain, and [it’s a] devastating situation.”
Ahmed spoke to his brother just last Monday and said he shared that he would be busy working on his thesis. Limon’s research, his brother said, focuses on using generative AI to study Florida’s shrinking wetlands.
Ahmed said Limon and Bristy were discussing potentially getting married in the future but were focused on their education.
“Another important point that is they talked about having a future together, but they are not that serious about it. Both of them are thinking about whether we can marry together, and they are discussing that,” he said.
University of South Florida Police Department Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX 13 that foul play is not suspected at this point of the investigation for the missing college students. (FOX 13)
USF Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX 13 that “no stone would be left unturned” in the search for Limon and Bristy, though authorities see no signs of foul play.
“Everybody internally is obviously very concerned, as we are concerned. It’s not typical of their behavior. They’re graduate students,” McKinnon said. “We don’t have information that there is foul play or suspicious nature at this point.
“When we get to this point where we aren’t having success in locating them, then our next best source is the public. That’s where we are at,” he said. “Everybody’s hoping for a positive outcome on this. And that’s why we’re taking it very seriously and making sure we leave no stones unturned to try to find them.”
Detectives with the USFPD and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call USFPD at 813-974-2628.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and USFPD for additional information.
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